Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Community Shelter Board (CSB) in an amount up to $590,000 to support winter warming centers that will help keep unhoused individuals safe during dangerous weather. Services and plans will cover the following three components:
Daytime Warming Centers
Unhoused residents will be able to utilize libraries, recreation centers, and a handful of churches to stay warm during the day this winter. An online interactive map will help individuals locate the various warming centers across the city. This map will outline the hours of operation and any additional services that will be provided on site. Homeless outreach teams will focus their engagement high traffic locations, working to enroll unhoused residents in street outreach if they are interested and help develop a housing plan with them. This online map will be developed into a hot card that can be available at public buildings and for nonprofit partners. The Coalition for the Homeless and Community Development for All People (CD4AP) - two key partners in this effort - will host 2 “hub” locations with additional resources, services, and dedicated staff.
Overnight Shelter
Each year, Community Shelter Board develops a plan to handle winter overflow. Due to a tight housing market and reduced outflow from the shelters, it is worthwhile to provide residents additional choices during the winter months. The Coalition for the Homeless and CD4AP are seeking to operate overnight warming centers from the start of December to the end of February to augment the shelter spaces available for unhoused residents.
Extreme Cold Events
During level 3 snow emergencies, shelters keep individuals inside and remain open all day. Additionally, homeless outreach teams conduct specific, concentrated engagement in an attempt to get individuals inside ahead of extreme weather events. The Coalition’s two...
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